Will GreenwaldThe Best Wireless Headphones of 2017Tired of tangled cords? Here's how to find the right wireless headphones or earphones along with our top-rated reviews.

Who Needs a Headphone Jack?

Stereo headphones have been around since before the first Sony Walkman, and that's roughly how long we've put up with tangled wires while listening to music on the go. That's long enough, if you ask us. Fortunately, this is where wireless headphones come in. They're convenient for any situation where you don't want to deal with dangling cables—especially at the gym. And now that many phone makers are ditching the headphone jack, they're a good way to ensure compatibility with just about any new device.

Wireless no longer means poor sound, either. These days, Bluetooth audio sounds much better than it ever has. Even though the stereo Bluetooth data signal is compressed, various headphone and earphone vendors have discovered ways of enhancing the signal to compensate for deficiencies in fidelity. That said, audiophiles will still hear a difference and should probably stick with wired headphones. But for casual listening, many of the most recent wireless models we've tested sound just fine—even great. Check out our buying advice below before picking the perfect pair.

Earphones or Headphones?

Earphones (or earbuds, or in-ear headphones) offer a slightly different sound profile compared with conventional headphones. Generally, you'll get better sound from a full set of "cans" around your head than from buds in your ears, but in-ear sound quality has improved a great deal. More importantly, in-ear headphones are much more likely to be water resistant, and much better suited for use when working out. Get a good sweat going, and you'll turn your headphone earpads into a nasty mess. For our top picks, check out The Best Earphones.

If you aren't primarily looking for a set of wireless earphones for the gym, conventional headphones can offer a very good listening experience. You'll still have to choose between on-ear and over-ear models, however. On-ear headphones rest the earcups against your ears, but don't surround them. Over-ear headphones completely enclose your ears. Over-ear headphones block out the most outside noise and usually provide a more powerful, rich sound, but on-ear headphones are less bulky and distracting to wear when you're out and about. See The Best Headphones for more.

Battery Concerns

Bluetooth headphones are convenient when they're charged, but once the batteries run out you're left without music. Some headphone manufacturers include a portable charging case, like Apple does with its AirPods. Others include a 3.5mm detachable cable.

For models with a wired option, you can plug the cable in and use them as conventional headphones until you can charge them again, and use them without issue on airplanes, to boot. Wireless earphones almost never have this option, because they're already so small there simply isn't any room to place a headphone cable jack.

Noise Cancellation

Active noise cancellation uses outward-facing microphones to pick up and analyze noise, which then gets canceled out by circuitry that generates an inverse wave in the headphones. It was previously an expensive, cumbersome technology that couldn't be found on wireless headphones, but that changed a few years ago with advances in battery life and circuit miniaturization. You'll pay a premium for headphones with active noise cancellation, but it's a handy feature if you just want to tune out everything around you besides your music. For more, check out The Best Noise-Canceling Headphones.

What About Completely Wire-Free?

We're seeing a new type of wireless headphone hit market in the form of the Apple AirPods, Bragi Dash, and Samsung Gear IconX. Let's call them wire-free, since there is no cable running between the earpieces. Each is completely separate from the other, so you don't have to worry about any kind of dangling cable. That can potentially make them more convenient than conventional wireless earphones, but the first models we've tested have suffered from poor battery life, awkward controls, high prices (aside from the Axgio AH-T1), and just average sound quality.

We've seen a few promising models with interesting gimmicks, like the noise-canceling/enhancing Doppler Labs Hear One, but none have really shown unqualified greatness yet. Because of this, we can't strongly recommend any wire-free earphones just yet, but we'll keep testing them as they come out.

Apple's W1 Chip

If you're an iPhone user, it's worth considering a pair of headphones that use Apple's proprietary W1 chip. The W1 chip makes Bluetooth pairing even easier—there's no need to open the Settings menu, as your phone automatically prompts you to connect whenever the headphones are nearby. The chip also makes for a more stable connection and increased wireless range.

Currently only Apple and Beats (which is owned by Apple) make headphones with the W1 chip, but that might change in the future. With that in mind, we've got a whole separate list of The Best iPhone 7 Wireless Headphones here.

What's In Your Budget?

This is a look at the top wireless headphones we've tested overall, regardless of price. As such, many of the options here fall in the $100 and up range. That doesn't mean you need to spend a lot of money to get headphones that deliver quality audio. If you're shopping on a budget, head over to The Best Headphones Under $50 for plenty of great options that won't break the bank.

With that in mind, we've included a range of styles and prices here. You're bound to find something that fits well, sounds great, and—above all—doesn't tie you up in knots.

Will Greenwald has been covering consumer technology for a decade, and has served on the editorial staffs of CNET.com, Sound & Vision, and Maximum PC. His work and analysis has been seen in GamePro, Tested.com, Geek.com, and several other publications. He currently covers consumer electronics in the PC Labs as the in-house home entertainment expert, reviewing TVs, media hubs, speakers, headphones, and gaming accessories. Will is also an ISF Level II-certified TV calibrator, which ensures the thoroughness and accuracy of all PCMag TV reviews....
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